Identity of Lamberts Beach sex attacker revealed

A SLADE Point dad who sexually assaulted two women at a Mackay region beach, forcing himself onto them and groping through their bikinis, will be released from prison in less than three months.

John Harris Smith Elu, 31, approached two strangers soaking up the sun at Lamberts Beach in Slade Point.

After his advances were rejected, Elu lay on top of a 22-year-old British traveller on April 26, groping at her bikini top and bottom until she struggled free.

Several months before, on January 19, Elu groped an 18-year-old woman's bikini bottom, before she screamed and freed herself from his grasp.

The women were not physically injured, but Mackay Magistrates Court was told they felt violated and disgusted, and one of the women said she didn't visit the beach any more.

Magistrate Simon Young summed up Elu's actions.

"It's a sexual assault in a very direct and even violent manner. These young women minding their own business at the beach wearing bikinis have been accosted, firstly, by Mr Elu making some very blunt sexual suggestions to them unsolicited ... ,” he said.

"Then when he does not get the response he wants, he forces himself onto these young women, groping them in the first instance through the bikini bottom, in her vagina area, and in the second instance, laying on top of the second victim, who was already lying on the beach, again groping her through her bikini, both vagina and breast. These are gross invasions of privacy.”

One of the victims snapped this picture of Elu.Queensland Police

During Elu's sentencing in the court on Wednesday, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault, Mr Young expressed concerns Elu was the primary carer of a young family member.

He suggested that "should be looked into a bit further” by the relevant authorities.

Prosecutor Acting Sergeant Merishia Wheatley told the court Elu had three pages of criminal history, including assault, but had no relevant sexual offences on record.

Barrister Phillip Moore spoke in defence, telling Mr Young his client "admitted guilt since the outset” and cooperated with police.

Elu's own actions "come as a surprise even to himself” and he felt "sick to his stomach” at his "predatory” behaviour, the barrister added.

Mr Moore said Elu, who couldn't say why he assaulted the women, had been organising to see a psychologist.

Mr Young described the crimes as "alarming” and said "the courts don't see this too often”, alluding to the random nature of the assaults.

The magistrate said he was bound to sentence Elu in line with previous decisions which had been handed down in higher courts.

Elu was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment on each charge, served concurrently.

Considering his early plea and 48 days served before sentence, Elu will be freed on parole on August 27.